Invisalign, explained
Invisalign® straightens teeth with a series of clear, removable aligners instead of brackets and wires, so most people will not even notice you are wearing them. Dr. Qin Li is a certified Invisalign provider, and we offer free Invisalign consultations at our Thornhill clinic for patients from Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill and North York.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign® takes a modern approach to straightening teeth, using a custom-made series of aligners created for you and only you. These aligner trays are made of smooth, comfortable and virtually invisible plastic that you wear over your teeth. Wearing the aligners gradually and gently shifts your teeth into place, based on the exact movements your dentist plans out for you. There are no brackets to attach and no wires to tighten. You just pop in a new set of aligners approximately every two weeks, until your treatment is complete. You’ll achieve a great smile with little interference in your daily life. The best part is that most people won’t even know you’re straightening your teeth.
Why choose Invisalign over traditional braces?
Nearly invisible
Clear aligners are hard to notice, even up close.
Removable
Take them out to eat, brush and floss, so there are no food restrictions and hygiene is easy.
Comfortable
Smooth plastic with no brackets or wires to irritate your cheeks and gums.
Fewer visits
Check-ins every few weeks to pick up new aligners, with no emergency visits for broken wires.
Would Invisalign work for me?
Photos below are from Dr. Li’s actual patient cases.
Invisalign has been clinically proven to be successful in treating most types of orthodontic cases, including crowding, spacing, overbite, underbite and crossbite. The best way to evaluate whether Invisalign is right for you is to schedule a free consultation. A dentist will look at your teeth and let you know on the spot whether Invisalign would work for you, and will explain the other options available, some of which may be quicker or less expensive depending on your smile goals, lifestyle and budget.
How does Invisalign treatment work?
Free consultation
We examine your teeth, discuss your goals and confirm Invisalign is a good fit.
Scan and plan
Impressions or a digital scan are used to map every movement of your teeth from start to finish.
Wear your aligners
Wear each set 20 to 22 hours a day, changing to the next set about every two weeks.
Retain
When treatment is complete, a retainer keeps your new smile in place.
Invisalign FAQs
It depends on how far your teeth need to move. Minor corrections can take as little as six months, while more complex cases take 18 months to two years. Your dentist will give you an estimated timeline at your consultation.
20 to 22 hours a day. Remove them only to eat, drink anything other than water, brush and floss. Wearing them less slows your progress.
You may feel pressure or mild tenderness for a day or two after switching to a new set of aligners. That is a sign the aligners are working, and it fades quickly.
Take your aligners out to eat and to drink anything except water, then brush before putting them back in. Hot drinks can warp the plastic and coloured drinks can stain it.
Invisalign works for teens and adults of any age. Many of our Invisalign patients are adults who want to straighten their teeth discreetly.
The cost depends on the complexity of your case and the number of aligners needed. We provide a written quote at your free consultation, and our current promotion is shown below. Some dental plans include orthodontic coverage that applies to Invisalign.
Yes. Teeth can drift back after any orthodontic treatment, so a retainer, usually worn at night, keeps your results for the long term.
Coverage varies from policy to policy. Plans with orthodontic benefits often cover part of Invisalign treatment. We can confirm your coverage, if any, when you come in for a free Invisalign consultation.
Ready to see if Invisalign is right for you?
Book a free consultation at our Thornhill clinic. We’ll examine your teeth, show you what Invisalign can do and explain the cost, with no obligation.
Special Offers/Coupons
Free Consult, Free whitening and retainers with your Invisalign® Treatment!
For a limited time, receive free teeth whitening (a $250 value) for any Invisalign® treatment, plus a set of clear retainers valued at $450!
Come in for a free Invisalign consultation and an Invisalign-certified professional will explain the treatment process, available options and associated costs. At the conclusion of your treatment, receive free teeth whitening to add some extra shine to your smile!
There is absolutely no obligation. Book your free consultation today!
There are no hidden fees, and no obligation. Offer valid until M 28, Y.
Hello – I am just wondering whether I can still wear a clear retainer at night to keep my teeth straight, if there are gaps between the teeth and tray ? I believe the term is incisal gaps. I have a permanent retainer already/finished treatment a long time ago, but because my permanent retainer has been redone there are now gaps with the plastic retainer. Thanks
Hi Alicia, sorry for the late reply; we didn’t see your comment until now due to a technical glitch.
We’d ideally like to see an exact fit of the clear retainer to your teeth. Consider taking a new impression of you teeth for a new clear retainer. You may have to do that every time you have some major dental work done.
I have a minor overbite and have no pain. Is it necessary to get braces and also will this get way worse over time
Hi Alicia,
The majority of those who choose to get braces or Invisalign are not in pain. For some people, orthodontic treatments can help correct their bite, prevent uneven wear on their teeth or gums, or prevent long-term stress in their jaw-joint. For others, braces or invisible liners help to straighten teeth that are crooked or crowded. Properly aligned teeth are not only more aesthetically pleasing, they are easier to clean and less likely to suffer from gum disease or cavities in the long run.
Unfortunately, I cannot tell you if Invisalign is right for you without a proper exam. Please discuss your options with your dentist.
Can a single lower incisor extraction during braces treatment change the shape of the jaw and chin? I’ve had braces for about 5.5 months for the treatment of my crossbite and I’m noticing that my jawline has changed. I had a single lower incisor extraction because I had crowding. My face is more narrow and looks V-shaped rather than square (which it used to be like). Is it because of the weight loss or is it because of braces and the extraction that I had? If it is because of braces, then how can I reverse this?
Hi Aimen, unfortunately it’s not possible for me to answer your questions without having examined you before your treatment commenced, so you’ll need to discuss this with your dental provider. Your dentist will have your before-braces pictures and be able to give you a better assessment. The change you perceive may not be as much as you think; as you mentioned, it maybe due to weight loss. Also, if your dentist has to place some bite guard on your teeth temporarily to correct your crossbite, that could also temporarily make your face appear longer.
Hello, I had invisaligns for less than 2 years and then got retainers that I wore for a few months, but recently I haven’t worn them in a couple months due to distractions from the covid-19 situation and finals for school. I tried to fit them back in today and they were really tight and almost but not quite fitting, and it hurt my teeth a lot to the point where I had to take them out. But my bottom teeth which had shifted slightly more than my top teeth had been more difficult to take the retainer off, and now I just can’t wear the retainers because it’s too much pressure on my teeth. Because of quarantine, I am unable to go to an orthodontist, so I am wondering what I can do? I don’t want my teeth to shift more and more.
Hello Caity, unfortunately, there is not much that can be done at the moment. Once your orthodontist is seeing patients again, a new retainer can be made for you. Please discuss the option of a fixed wire retainer with your orthodontist too.
Hello, I was just wondering if Invisalign can help with my midline shift problem. I used to wear braces before and now have permanent retainers behind my teeth. I noticed that my upper teeth have shifted to the right and I think it’s because I got my tooth extracted on that side. Can Invisalign help this problem or are there any other alternatives?
Hi Andrei, Invisalign can potentially help with your midline shift problem. Invisalign treatment typically takes longer than traditional braces which is also a treatment option. You should consult with an Invisalign provider to help you determine appropriate treatment options.
hello, I have a dental question. I am 13 years old, I have an overbite and my two front top teeth are crooked as well as some of my bottom teeth are slightly crooked. I am not sure if I should get braces or Invisalign. I have a small gap between my two top front teeth, but I like it so I would like to keep it. I had braces for about 6 months but we had to take them off because my family moved. We are now looking into getting braces to Invisalign. Could you please suggest which of the two would be right for me, and if I need to get braces would the invisible ones be an option? Thank you.
Hi there, unfortunately I cannot give you advice on which orthodontic treatments are the best course of action for you. Because your jaw is still growing, you will need a physical visit to a dentist for a consultation and most likely a panoramic x-ray and cephalometric x-ray along with a study mold or 3D scan to help the dentist to determine the progression of your jaw growth before a treatment option can be finalized.
In general, Invisalign will take longer and be more expensive than traditional braces. It also requires you to wear your liners 22 hours a day and keep track of when to change to a different set of liners. However, it is much easier to brush and floss your teeth when you are wearing Invisalign as opposed to traditional braces. All those factors will influence you and your family’s decision.
Can I get braces or Invisalign if my lower incisors have fillings?
Hi Muna, fillings on lower incisor teeth shouldn’t interfere with braces or Invisalign treatment in the majority of the cases. Your dentist can verify that before the start of the treatment.
Hi, I have a slight overbite and my lower teeth do not fully align properly with my upper teeth. I really do not want to get metal braces, so, would Invisalign work?
Hi Amber, unfortunately its not possible to assess whether Invisalign would work for you without an in-person examination. We are happy to offer free, no-obligation Invisalign consultations. Please contact us at 905-707-8008 or email us at [email protected] to book an appointment.
Hello! May I know if you have braces treatments at your clinic?
Hi Tetiana, we offer Six Months Smile braces and Invisalign clear braces at our clinic. Feel free to contact us at 905-707-8008 or via email at [email protected] for a free consultation.